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Hospital's future uncertain under new federal rules

A key portion of the president's health care reform takes effect Tuesday unless something drastic happens on Capitol Hill. In this report, we look at the concerns of small town hospitals like the one in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Updated: 8:58 AM CDT Sep 30, 2013

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Hospital's future uncertain under new federal rules

A key portion of the president's health care reform takes effect Tuesday unless something drastic happens on Capitol Hill. In this report, we look at the concerns of small town hospitals like the one in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Updated: 8:58 AM CDT Sep 30, 2013

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Hospital's future uncertain under new federal rules

A key portion of the president's health care reform takes effect Tuesday unless something drastic happens on Capitol Hill. In this report, we look at the concerns of small town hospitals like the one in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Updated: 8:58 AM CDT Sep 30, 2013

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WEBVTT PORTION OF THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE REFORM TAKES EFFECT TUESDAY-- UNLESS SOMETHING DRASTIC HAPPENS ON CAPITOL HILL. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SIGN UP FOR COVERAGE, THROUGH EXCHANGES CREATED BY THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE NOW, YOU MAY SEE LITTLE CHANGE-- OTHERS-- FACE NEW OPPORTUNITIES-- AND NEW UNCERTAINTIES. TONIGHT, WE LOOK AT THE CONCERNS OF SMALL TOWN HOSPITALS, LIKE THE ONE IN MISSOURI VALLEY, IOWA. AS K-E-T-V NEWSWATCH SEVEN'S AMANDA CRAWFORD REPORTS, ADMINISTRATORS FEAR FUNDING CHANGES MAY FORCE THE HOSPITAL TO CLOSE. MISSOURI VALLEY IS THE KIND OF PLACE -- WHERE EVERYONE WAVES WHEN THEY DRIVE BY. (nats: hi barb! how can i help you?) AND THE HOSPITAL IS THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME. A QUALITY -- ADMINISTRATOR BOB VALENTINE SAYS -- IS MORE LIKE A GIFT.(It is like taking care of family ) IN FACT -- THIS ALEGENT CREIGHTON HOSPITAL IS SO SMALL -- THE GOVERNMENT DESIGNATES IT A "CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL"(bob valentine: 25 beds or less, 35 miles from another hospital) THAT DESIGNATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THE HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR MOST OF ITS MEDICARE POPULATION.(bob valentine: We just need this program. You know it's hardworking people that live out here and love living in these communities. They depend on us to be here for them. ) AND THAT'S WHY VALENTINE IS WORRIED. HE SAYS FEDERAL EXPERTS CAME OUT WITH A NEW REPORT THAT RECOMMENDS áSHRINKING THE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, AND TIGHTENING RULES THAT HELP FINANCE SMALL TOWN HOSPITALS.(bob valentine: To me it just doesn't make sense ) IOWA'S REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAIC U-S SENATORS AGREE. CHARLES GRASSLEY AND TOM HARKIN WERE AMONG 20- SENATORS WHO SENT THIS LETTER TO SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE LEADERS LAST MONTH. THEY ARGUE CUTTING REIMBURSEMENTS TO CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS WOULD AMOUNT TO A SAVINGS OF ONE-HUNDREDTH OF ONE PERCENT, OVER TEN-YEARS OF MEDICARE SPENDING. AND SAY ANY FURTHER FUNDING CUTS WOULD IMPEDE THE HOSPITALS ABILITY TO PROVIDE HIGH- QUALITY CARE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.,,., ...COMMUNITIES LIKE DENISON, HAMBURG, ONAWA, RED OAK, SHENANDOAH.... AND MISSOURI VALLEY.. ALL USING THE CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL DESIGNATION TO PROVIDE LOCAL CARE.(bob valentine: There are things we can do smarter, better, but cutting this program is not going to do that.) NOW VALENTINE POINTS OUT -- PARTS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ARE áGOOD FOR THE HOSPITAL --(bob valentine: Drugs are probably one of the most expensive things in health care) THANKS TO A CHANGE CALLED THE "340 B DRUG PROGRAM" -- THIS PHARMACY FULL OF MEDICATION -- IS A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR PATIENTS.(how you feeling today? good good) BUT FOR THAT MEDICINE AND THIS TREATMENT TO EVEN BE AVAILABLE HERE -- VALENTINE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT áCAN'T CUT THE CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL PROGRAM.(bob valentine: We literally probably couldn't survive if we didn't have cost-base reimbursement from the critical access hospital program )(amanda crawford: there's no legislation on the table yet, but this report is gaining traction. hospital associations are sending letters like this to lawmakers. next month, leaders from nebraska and iowa head to dc to talk about how hospitals like this are so important to small communities. with more complete coverage, amanda crawford, ketv newswatch seven.) NEBRASKA RESIDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID WILL EXPERIENCE A DELAY OF AT LEAST ONE MONTH WHEN APPLYING FOR COVERAGE THGOUTH THE HEALTH EXCHANGES. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS IT'S NOT READY TO TRANSFER ACCOUNTS BETWEEN NEBRASKA MEDICAID, AND THE EXCHANGES. SO FOR AT LEAST A MONTH, THE FEDS WILL HOLD APPLICATIONS, UNTIL THE ACCOUNT TRANSFER FUNCTION IS READY. THERE'S A LOT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS HEALTH CARE ISSUE. SEVEN CAN HELP WITH RESOURCES ON K-E-T-V DOT COM. CLICK ON THE 'HEALTH CARE REFORM' TAB ON OUR HOME PAGE TO READ-UP ON HOW THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT MAY AFFECT YOU